(Richland PIO) – Richland County Councilmembers used a two-day Strategic Planning Forum in Charleston to set priorities for 2023 and lay a foundation for upcoming projects, while also discussing successful initiatives by Charleston County.
Among the topics on the agenda for the forum, which took place Thursday and Friday, were a State of the County address by County Administrator Leonardo Brown, an overview of the County’s strategic plan, a financial overview, and an update on the Transportation Penny program. The full agenda is available on the County’s website.
The Strategic Planning Forum “offers us an occasion to reflect on the decisions we’ve made, the works we’ve performed, and ultimately the results that we’ve experienced over the past year,” Brown said Thursday. “Equally important, it continues to allow us the opportunity to analyze and to learn from our past efforts and consider how best to move forward with a strategic vision for Richland County.”
On Thursday, Councilmembers and County staff toured the Teddie Pryor Social Services Building in North Charleston, where they met with Charleston County leaders. Following the forum, County Council will meet next during its regular public meeting Tuesday, Feb. 7.
Access videos from the forum on Richland County’s YouTube page: www.youtube.com/user/richlandonline.
A Vision for the Future
Richland County began developing its strategic plan in late 2021 with organizational assistance from consulting firm Baker Tilly US, LLP. In interviews with members of County Council, Administrator Brown and senior staff at that time, participants gave input on strategic challenges for the County as well as opportunities for the future.
County leadership identified and adopted six strategic goals:
• Foster good governance
• Invest in economic development
• Commit to fiscal responsibility
• Plan for growth through inclusive and equitable infrastructure
• Achieve positive public engagement
• Establish operational excellence
During this week’s forum, Brown identified some key priorities for implementing the strategic plan moving forward, which included:
• Increasing investment in the County’s workforce
• Raising the County’s level of public engagement, including the County’s communications office and efforts focused on diversity, equity and inclusion
• Developing the County’s internal oversight capacity for grants
• Addressing financial needs at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
Find more details of the strategic plan by visiting the County’s website, www.richlandcountysc.gov, and navigating to the Strategic Planning Report page.